Print-on-demand products have come a long way in recent years. In the past, you’d be limited to choosing between t-shirts, tote bags, and mugs. Today, you can sell a wide range of print-on-demand products—including yoga pants, fanny packs, bedsheets, and Bluetooth speakers.
But what should you sell? Which print-on-demand products are trending? Let’s find out.
What are print-on-demand products?
Print on demand is a type of dropshipping that allows sellers to add unique designs and branding to a range of products and sell them online.
You don’t need to source, store, print, or post the products you sell. Instead, your print-on-demand supplier will handle those things for you. This means you can focus your time, energy, and money on creating new designs and marketing your store.
Print-on-demand products make it easy to start an online business with minimal upfront costs. Plus, they offer the flexibility of testing new designs without worrying about unsold stock.
20 in-demand POD products for 2024
We’ve tapped into years of ecommerce experience and data from Google Trends to identify 20 of the best trending print-on-demand products to consider selling in 2024. Here are our top picks:
- All-over print clothing
- Sneakers
- Stickers
- Fanny packs
- Champion hoodies
- Water bottles
- Tote bags
- Backpacks
- Bluetooth speakers
- Wall art
- Cushions
- Towels
- Throws
- Bedsheets
- Mugs
- Belt bags
- Phone cases
- T-shirts
- Engraved jewelry
- Personalized puzzles
1. All-over print clothing
Let’s kick off our list with a set of unique print-on-demand products: all-over print clothing.
In the image below from Google Trends, you can see how all-over print clothing has surged in popularity in recent years.
But what kind of clothing should you sell exactly? Well, all-over hoodies, t-shirts, and yoga pants are some of the bestselling print-on-demand products out there.
For example, the apparel brand Vapor95 has a whole collection of all-over print hoodies.
2. Sneakers
Some top print-on-demand companies like Printify and JetPrint now offer sneakers. For example, check out some of JetPrint’s sneaker options in the image below:
This is great news because interest in sneakers has been trending upward for a while:
Still, it’s more challenging to create eye-catching designs for sneakers than for simple products like t-shirts. So, make sure to pay extra attention to the design template provided by your chosen print-on-demand supplier.
3. Stickers
Stickers are a classic print-on-demand product that are still hugely popular.
As you can see below, Google Trends shows how interest in stickers has remained strong since 2004.
To succeed with print-on-demand stickers, try creating eye-catching, fun designs. For example, the LGBTQ+ lifestyle brand Passionfruit sells colorful stickers alongside other print-on-demand products.
4. Fanny packs
Fanny packs have made a comeback in recent years.
Google Trends shows interest in fanny packs spikes around the summer months:
This is likely because they’re considered the perfect practical accessory in the summer.
Creating designs for fanny packs isn’t the most straightforward process. However, with some effort, this unique print-on-demand product could be a great seller.
For inspiration, check out TropicalBlvd’s print-on-demand fanny packs:
5. Champion hoodies
Champion (the classic sportswear brand) has been around longer than Adidas and Nike. It’s recently made a huge comeback, thanks to influencer partnerships.
To ride this wave, offer Champion hoodies through your print-on-demand store. Make them special with custom embroidery or unique designs. Adding embroidery can make these hoodies look even better and let you charge more than for regular printed ones.
6. Water bottles
As consumers have become more environmentally conscious in recent years, reusable water bottles have become another everyday essential.
Unlike print-on-demand clothing, you won’t need to worry about customer sizing problems when selling water bottles.
Plus, print-on-demand companies offer plenty of different types of water bottles to choose from—such as sports bottles and thermoses.
7. Tote bags
Although tote bags aren’t trending, interest has remained consistent for almost two decades.
Consequently, it’s well worth selling this classic print-on-demand product.
The best thing about selling print-on-demand tote bags is that you don’t need to create new designs—you can simply offer tote bags featuring your bestselling designs. This is exactly what Boba Love does:
Tote bags are the perfect product to cross-sell to customers during checkout.
8. Backpacks
Many of the top print-on-demand suppliers now offer backpacks. In the image below, you can see some of the options provided by Printify:
It’s encouraging to know that interest in backpacks has been trending upward for a decade or so, with notable spikes in the summer season.
Like sneakers and all-over print clothing, backpacks provide a fantastic opportunity to create something distinctive.
9. Bluetooth speakers
If you’re looking for unique print-on-demand products to sell, consider Bluetooth speakers and headphones.
For instance, Teelaunch offers print-on-demand Bluetooth speakers and headphones that you can customize with your designs.
Interest in Bluetooth speakers has remained steady for many years, with surges during the holidays.
It’ll be challenging to compete with big-name audio brands like Sony and Bose when it comes to audio quality. So, again, focus on creating truly attention-grabbing designs that will make your print-on-demand products stand out.
10. Wall art
Wall art is one of the most popular print-on-demand products out there—check out how interest in wall art has grown over the years:
Selling print-on-demand wall art allows you to offer countless designs without purchasing or managing additional inventory.
For inspiration, check out iLikeMaps—this brand sells stunning map art in various styles.
Interestingly, the popularity of posters has waned during the same period—so make sure to position your products as “wall art” and not “posters”!
11. Cushions
Cushions are another popular homeware print-on-demand product. In fact, searches for cushions have increased steadily for about a decade.
This print-on-demand product provides another great opportunity to reuse your most popular designs—you can also reuse your all-over print designs.
12. Towels
Interest in purchasing towels online has climbed slowly over the past few years.
Plus, this print-on-demand product provides a huge canvas for creativity and expression.
Use high-resolution images when creating towel designs, otherwise, your prints could be pixelated when printed.
13. Throws
Similarly, throws present an attractive print-on-demand opportunity. Searches for this product have climbed significantly since the mid-2000s:
Printful, Printify, and CustomCat are just some of the top print-on-demand services that offer throws. Again, make sure your designs are uploaded in high resolution.
14. Bedsheets
There’s a theme here, right? Perhaps a print-on-demand homeware store is the way to go?
Interest in bedsheets has climbed gradually in recent years. There was also a notable spike when the pandemic hit, as people began to focus on upgrading their homes during lockdowns.
15. Mugs
Mugs are another timeless print-on-demand product that are a perfect addition to any store. Interest in mugs spikes during the holidays but remains stable year-round.
When designing, consider how the template will wrap around the mug. For example, if you place a design in the middle of the template, it won’t be easily visible to the drinker. So, you may want to include two designs to the left and right of the template—this will ensure there’s a design on either side of your mug.
For inspiration, check out The Happy Givers mug collection:
16. Belt bags
Belt bags are a trendy take on fanny packs. These bags come in various sizes and have gained immense popularity—thanks to their practicality and modern fashion trends.
You can find print-on-demand suppliers who offer belt bags with full-coverage printing options. When creating designs for your online store, remember that patterns or images for other items like t-shirts or tote bags might need adjustments for these bags.
Eye-catching and distinctive designs can make these bags feel unique. You can also add personalized elements like monograms or custom tags to increase their appeal to those seeking custom merchandise
17. Phone cases
Phone cases are another massively popular print-on-demand product category that’s been trending for a while now.
Providing much-needed protection for smartphones, custom phone cases give people peace of mind while allowing them to make a fashion statement.
You can sell phone covers featuring your bestselling designs and then promote them as cross-sells alongside other offerings.
POD companies like Printify will let you make your own phone cases for various smartphone models and brands.
18. T-shirts
There’s no doubt about it: T-shirts are hands-down the most popular print-on-demand product out there. They’re versatile, sell year-round, and provide a fantastic medium for self-expression.
However, it can be incredibly challenging to differentiate a t-shirt business from competitors.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t sell print-on-demand t-shirts. It just means that if you do, you should work hard to create a standout brand and designs that resonate powerfully with a defined target market. The t-shirt brand Classic Dad does this beautifully:
19. Engraved jewelry
Jewelry is often small and lightweight, making it ideal for shipping. It’s also the perfect blank canvas for customized designs and engravings.
You’ll find a variety of options when you delve into jewelry. Examples include bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and other adjacent things.
Pick anything with charms, as it’s easier to engrave pictures and text onto such items. And they also make great gifts.
20. Personalized puzzles
Have you ever thought of giving a personalized puzzle as a gift? With print-on-demand, you can create and sell puzzles with unique designs.
You can use customer photos, custom illustrations, or themed graphics to cater to different preferences.
Before you start, make sure your print-on-demand provider guarantees excellent print quality. High-quality prints will make your designs pop and create a satisfying experience for your customers.
Designing print-on-demand products
Designing your first print-on-demand product can be exciting, and you don’t have to be a design pro to get started. Here’s how you can create unique POD items for your own online store:
Go DIY
If you’re feeling creative, you can make your own designs. Use tools like Illustrator or Photoshop, or free ones like Pixlr and Canva. Save your design as a high-res PSD or PNG file. Be sure to check your print-on-demand platform’s image size and format requirements—different products (like mugs and t-shirts) need different dimensions.
Hire a freelancer
Don’t want to design yourself? You can hire a freelancer. Check out platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or browse portfolios on Dribbble or Behance. Freelance costs vary, so make sure to review their past work and choose someone who fits your style and budget.
Buy templates
Templates are a quick way to get designs without starting from scratch. While they’re easy to use, keep in mind that they’re not exclusive. Sites like GraphicRiver and Creative Market offer various templates for all kinds of products. Prices can range from $8 to $25.
Use mockup tools
Mockup tools let you create product images without taking photos. They show how your designs will look on actual products. Check if your preferred print-on-demand platform offers a free mockup tool for the purpose.
How to price print-on-demand items
Print-on-demand products typically have smaller profit margins than standard orders. But don’t let that discourage you from taking the print-on-demand route. You can still price your products to make a profit.
Your profit is the difference between your selling price and the production costs from your supplier.
So, if you’re selling a custom mug for $20 and your supplier charges you $8 for production, including printing and shipping, your profit would be $12. Adjust your retail price to balance costs and ensure profitability.
The future of print on demand
Print on demand is changing fast with the rise of AI tools. These tools can generate a variety of visuals in different styles and themes. Designers using them can create more without sacrificing detail or customization.
Modern AI art tools use a combination of reference images, text prompts, and manual tweaks to help you craft unique designs. You can describe your idea, add sample images, and adjust until it’s just right. But keep in mind the legal side of things—using AI to create and sell art is still new territory, and the rules aren’t fully set yet.
If you have the commercial rights to the images, you can use platforms like Midjourney to sell them. With commercial rights to the images, it’s easy to turn these designs into profitable products. For example, you can use AI to:
Create custom products
Finding time to craft individual designs for each customer can be tough. AI can help with that. Use it to generate personalized print-on-demand designs based on customer requests. This way, you can keep up with demand without stretching your time too thin.
Tweak design variations
Let AI assist in generating multiple versions of your designs. These variations can be used to perfect your visuals or adapt them for different product types, keeping your offerings fresh and versatile.
Collaborate for exclusivity
Team up with digital artists to make one-of-a-kind designs. Then, use AI to create personalized, limited edition collections for your storefront. Customers will love the unique, exclusive pieces that can’t be found anywhere else.
Choose the best print-on-demand products for your business
There are tons of print-on-demand products out there, so keep these points in mind when choosing what to sell:
- Who is your core target market? For example, will you sell products featuring pineapple motifs or inspirational quotes?
- Can you build a store around a particular style of products? For example, all-over print clothing or homeware accessories.
- Is there a way to sell custom products and then cross-sell classic print-on-demand products, such as tote bags, mugs, and stickers?
What print-on-demand products are you most interested in selling? Let us know in the comments.
Print-on-demand products FAQ
Is print on demand still profitable?
Print on demand continues to be a profitable business. Profit margins in POD usually range from 15% to 20%, depending on your pricing strategy. POD store owners bear minimal financial risk, since they don’t have to purchase inventory upfront.
What type of products can be sold through print on demand?
Print on demand lets you sell all kinds of custom products. You can offer graphic t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, and stylish tote bags. There’s also room for unique home décor like throw pillows, wall art, and custom coasters. Don’t forget to include functional items such as water bottles, notebooks, and even puzzles. With these choices, your store can cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
Does Etsy use print on demand?
Yes, Etsy allows the sale of print-on-demand items. The designs need to be original or customized by the seller. Sellers should also list the print providers they partner with to comply with Etsy's policies.
How do I start a print-on-demand company?
- Build an ecommerce store.
- Find high-demand products to sell.
- Create designs for your items.
- Use an app like Printful to make the product.
- Add it to your store’s catalog.
- Market your print on demand business.